Adam put [tex]$\$100$[/tex] in a savings account. After 10 years, he had [tex]$\[tex]$1649$[/tex][/tex] in the account. What rate of interest did he earn?

Use the formula [tex]$A = P e^{rt}$[/tex], where [tex]$A$[/tex] is the ending amount, [tex][tex]$P$[/tex][/tex] is the principal (initial amount), [tex]$r$[/tex] is the interest rate, and [tex]$t$[/tex] is time.

A. [tex]5 \%[/tex]

B. [tex]3 \%[/tex]

C. [tex]20 \%[/tex]

D. [tex]28 \%[/tex]



Answer :

Let's solve the problem step-by-step using the formula for continuous compound interest:

[tex]\[ A = P e^{rt} \][/tex]

where:
- [tex]\( A \)[/tex] is the ending amount,
- [tex]\( P \)[/tex] is the principal (initial amount),
- [tex]\( r \)[/tex] is the interest rate,
- [tex]\( t \)[/tex] is the time in years,
- [tex]\( e \)[/tex] is the base of the natural logarithm, approximately equal to 2.71828.

Given:
- [tex]\( A = 1649 \)[/tex],
- [tex]\( P = 100 \)[/tex],
- [tex]\( t = 10 \)[/tex].

We need to find the rate [tex]\( r \)[/tex]. Rearrange the formula to solve for [tex]\( r \)[/tex]:

[tex]\[ 1649 = 100 e^{10r} \][/tex]

Divide both sides by 100:

[tex]\[ 16.49 = e^{10r} \][/tex]

Take the natural logarithm (ln) of both sides to solve for [tex]\( r \)[/tex]:

[tex]\[ \ln(16.49) = \ln(e^{10r}) \][/tex]

Using the property of logarithms that [tex]\(\ln(e^x) = x\)[/tex]:

[tex]\[ \ln(16.49) = 10r \][/tex]

Now, solve for [tex]\( r \)[/tex]:

[tex]\[ r = \frac{\ln(16.49)}{10} \][/tex]

Calculate the natural logarithm of 16.49:

[tex]\[ \ln(16.49) \approx 2.79801 \][/tex]

Divide by 10:

[tex]\[ r \approx \frac{2.79801}{10} \][/tex]
[tex]\[ r \approx 0.279801 \][/tex]

Convert [tex]\( r \)[/tex] to a percentage by multiplying by 100:

[tex]\[ r \times 100 \approx 0.279801 \times 100 \][/tex]
[tex]\[ r \approx 27.9801\% \][/tex]

The closest option to 27.9801\% is 28\%.

Therefore, the rate of interest Adam earned is:

D. 28%